The quick weight-loss industry is after every dollar which they can squeeze out of your pocket – so, why is it that failure after failure, so many people still fall for their bogus claims?

Most of the people that have inquired about weight-loss to us at David’s Way to Health and Fitness seem to always want to lose their weight as quickly as possible. But here’s the rub – you didn’t gain your excess pounds rapidly, therefore do not expect to lose those pounds rapidly. You can buy into the hype of the latest drugs and procedures for rapid weight-loss, but at the end of the day sometimes, your only loss is going to be the money in your pocket.

Even if a quick weight-loss gimmick has worked for you to lose weight, how many of you have been able to keep it off?

How many times has a quick weight-loss gimmick left you feeling poorly after a few days or weeks?

And, how many of you have had major health issues as a result of trying to lose weight too quickly?

Quick Weight-Loss Fatality

NOTE: Some, if not most bariatric procedures are of a medical necessity to save a life. However, there are some people who will travel abroad for this procedure simply for quick weight-loss.

Lisa Marie Presley, recently passed away after complications following bariatric surgery. The an autopsy report confirmed her cause of death was the result of bariatric surgery that she had undergone years before. Lisa Marie experienced what’s known as a small bowel obstruction, which sometimes occurs in people who’ve had bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery, usually reserved for people who are unable to lose weight by making changes to their diet and exercise routine.

The autopsy report was made public six months after Lisa Marie Presley died at the age of 54 on Jan. 12, 2023. At the time, authorities confirmed she suffered cardiac arrest before her sudden death.  Her cause of death was from the after-effects, or “sequelae,” of a small bowel obstruction, when part of the small intestine is blocked. Sequelae, or adhesions of bands of scar tissue can develop after bariatric surgery. You should take note that this issue is a known long-term complication of bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery carries some long-term risks for patients, including:

• Dumping syndrome, a condition that can lead to symptoms like nausea and dizziness
• Low blood sugar
• Malnutrition
• Vomiting
• Ulcers
• Bowel obstruction
• Hernias

Risks and side effects vary by bariatric procedure. The following list is not all-inclusive, but briefly outlines risks of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.

Risks of Gastric Bypass:

• Breakage
• Dumping syndrome
• Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
  substantial weight loss)
• Hernia
• Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
  surgical wound
• Leakage
• Perforation of stomach or intestines
• Pouch/anastomotic obstruction or bowel obstruction
• Protein or calorie malnutrition
• Pulmonary and/or cardiac problems
• Skin separation
• Spleen or other organ injury
• Stomach or intestine ulceration
• Stricture
• Vitamin or iron deficiency

Risks of Gastric Sleeve:

• Blood clots
• Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
  substantial weight loss)
• Hernia
• Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
  surgical wound
• Leakage
• Perforation of stomach or intestines
• Skin separation
• Stricture
• Vitamin or iron deficiency

One would think that only people with immediate risk to their health will undergo bariatric surgery. However, in this modern age of greed, it is probably safe to assume that there are some doctors who will promise you quick weight-loss by allowing them to do bariatric surgery on you. With all of the quick weight-loss schemes which can be readily found, it would be reasonable to  question whether some doctors might recommend surgery because one of their partners can perform and bill for it, or they approve a procedure on a patient who could benefit from another form of therapy.

The long-term success of bariatric surgery depends on your ability to make permanent changes in your diet, behavior, and exercise. When those changes take place, studies show that people who undergo bariatric surgery experience many benefits.

Obesity is a chronic, lifelong disease that you will battle for the rest of your life. Maybe bariatric surgery is your best option for long-term weight loss, that is between you and your doctor. However, it is only the first step, and additional concerns may arise. Some people will need to undergo additional surgeries to achieve additional weight loss, to remove sagging skin, to address additional medical concerns, or to induce loss of weight that was regained after surgery.

If you believe that bariatric surgery is the magic pill to bring about quick weight-loss for you, a good, reputable doctor will have you changing your lifestyle regarding nutrition and physical exercise before they will perform the surgery on you. They will have you eating a nutritionally sound diet, while also having you increase your daily activities in order to first show you and them, that you are absolutely dedicated to changing your life to be healthier than you are now.

People who are successful in weight management after undergoing bariatric surgery are dedicated, motivated individuals who are serious about making a positive change in their lives.

They are an inspiration.

But for those who are not dedicated and motivated about making positive changes in their lives, multiple failed attempts at quick weight-loss will only serve to wreck your health and well-being. Quick weight-loss almost always results in nothing lost but money out of your pocket and as with anything else that comes quick and easy, the results are rarely permanent.